Mushrooms and bread are a perfect match for me. This is a rich and delicious special treat. You could use it as an appetizer or side dish. If you want to make it vegetarian, leave the bacon out.
Mushroom Strata
Ingredients
- 4 TBSP butter
- 3/4 lb sliced mushrooms
- 1 tsp fresh thyme
- 1/2 cup chopped celery
- 1/2 cup chopped shallot or onion
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 tsp pressed garlic (optional)
- Salt and pepper
- 12 slices bread
- 1/4 cup softened butter
- 3 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups half and half
- Salt and pepper
- 12 oz (box) Pacific Cream of Mushroom soup
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup grated cheese or crumbled gorgonzola
Instructions
- Saute mushrooms in 4 TBSP of butter. Remove from heat and mix with next 7 ingredients.
- Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan.
- Butter 4 pieces of bread, cut into 1" squares. Lay squares in bottom of baking pan, buttered side up. Spread mushroom mixture over bread squares.
- Butter 4 more pieces of bread and cut into squares. Lay them on top of mushrooms, buttered side down.
- Mix together eggs and half and half. Pour over everything. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Heat oven to 325°
- Butter 4 more pieces of bread, cut into 1" squares, lay on top of everything in baking pan. Spread undiluted soup over everything. Bake 50-60 minutes.
- Remove from oven, sprinkle cheese on top, return to oven for 10 minutes until melted.
- Let sit 10 minutes before cutting and serving.